CHAPTER ONE #3
Cade: I had a great time tonight. Thank you. If I survive Zane driving back since he refused to give up the keys, I really would like to take you out sometime.
Me: He can’t be that bad. I haven’t heard that he’s wrecked his bike at all. I’d like to go out sometime. I had more fun tonight than I expected to, so thank you.
Cade: He’s fine on his bike, but I swear, put him behind the wheel of a truck or SUV, hell, even the golf cart at the stadium, and you’re gonna see your life flash before your eyes at least half a dozen times.
Me: LOL. I think you might be exaggerating on the golf cart, but I’ll take your word for it. It’s what, a two- or three-hour drive?
Cade: A little over two hours.
Me: That’s gonna be a late night for you guys. I’m surprised you didn’t leave earlier since you have practice in the morning.
Cade: It’s mostly just cardio tomorrow. This was a bye week for us-meaning we don’t have a game this week. Usually, we’d have a match on Saturday or Sunday. So even with getting home late, we’ll be fine. Besides, I’m really happy I came tonight.
Me: I’m glad you did too. I’m assuming the answer, but I like to know things for certain. You are single, right? I mean, you wouldn’t be the kind of guy who asks a woman out while having a girlfriend already, would you?
Cade: I am very much single. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve dated anyone seriously. I would think someone today would’ve mentioned it, but the same goes for you, right?
Me: Yeah, I’m single. I was seeing someone, but that ended about six months ago. Nothing dramatic or anything. We just weren’t right for each other.
Cade: That sounds so adult and mature of you. Not sure we can be friends if you’re that mature.
Me: Oh, I don’t know about that. I spent the morning pranking my oldest brother with the help of his husband. The man is a creature of habit, which helped me out.
Cade: Now this I gotta hear. As someone with a younger sister, I know sibling wars never end. They just evolve. We have one that has been going on since I was eleven. My sister’s wife has even gotten involved.
Me: It’s kinda a long story…this pranking has been going on since I was like eight…
Cade: I’m not going anywhere for a while. Keep me entertained. Plus, I need new ideas for my war with my sister.
Oh, the man doesn’t know what he’s asking for. This is gonna take some explaining.
**********
I stretch and reach for my phone and hit the lamp on the nightstand.
It’s connected to two other lights in my room, so it lights up as soon as I hit the button.
I let my eyes adjust for a moment. I know someday there may not be a change, and this haze will more than likely be permanent, but today’s not that day.
I look at my phone and know at least Pops will be awake, but Mom and Dad will most likely be too.
I get my butt up and out of bed, hitting the bathroom first before I go looking for the much-needed coffee.
Would I prefer a blended mocha with two extra shots and added caramel from Sooner or Later over a cup of drip coffee from home?
I mean, I am extra like that, so is it any surprise that I like my coffee extra like that too?
As much as I would love to have one of those right now, I have no desire to hear from Pops or Dad about how much they are or that regular coffee is just as good or better than what I get, so I will take the homemade stuff and not say anything.
At least Mom makes her creamer and makes a chocolate-flavored one that makes me not hate coffee from home.
I know I’m spoiled with my coffee. My dads might complain about it, but if I mention it, they both would jump up to take me. Unfortunately, driving will never be in the cards for me.
I walk into the kitchen, and the aroma hits me first as I walk over to the coffee station Mom put together a couple of years ago.
Ironically, it was about the time that Daisy came into our world, and she started spending a lot of time over here.
I get my first cup all doctored up before I hear voices coming from the sunroom.
It’s my mom’s favorite room in the house.
She loves to feel she’s outside but hates being cold.
This was Dad and Pop’s solution. Most mornings you can find at least Mom in here enjoying her coffee in quiet.
Even Daisy knows to be quiet till after that first cup is finished.
Asher, I swear, he’s the only one that forgets sometimes, and he wonders why Mom still smacks him the most.
I feel my phone vibrating with an incoming message, so I move to the dining table and have a seat as I take my first sip. I know we all go on about how much we love coffee, but if you lived in the Pacific Northwest, you’d understand. It’s serious business up here.
I take my phone out and unlock it. As soon as I see who sent me a message, I can’t keep the smile off my face.
Cade: I was right—working out the morning after a late night wasn’t bad at all. Either that, or the company last night made it completely worth it and has me hoping to repeat it sometime.
Me: I can’t imagine working out this early. I’m just having my first cup of coffee. I really enjoyed last night too.
“Something or someone has got you smilin’ big this morning.
” I look up from my phone and see Dad standing in the doorway, both his and Mom’s coffee mugs in his hands.
I’m not ready to dive into how much I enjoyed getting to know Cade last night, nor how long we texted after I got home, so I shrug my shoulders.
“Just had a good time yesterday, that’s all. ”
Pops, who’s not usually the observant one, speaks up from the other side of the room.
He must still have been in their bedroom, getting ready for the day.
“I think it’s more than that. I heard you giggling in your room last night, and at family day, you and that rugby player barely noticed anyone else around. ”
Dad has moved over to the coffeepot and is pouring some for himself and Mom.
I can see in the morning light that he’s thinking.
He’s got the look he always gets when he’s figuring out what he’s gonna say.
I don’t answer Pops. I know I should, but I also know it’s smartest and most self-preserving to wait to hear what Dad has to say.
I know they may argue a lot, but when it comes to being dads to me and my brothers, Dad and Pops have always managed to be a united front together and with Mom too.
“Haven’t seen you that enthralled with someone since maybe that first time you met Mario,” Pops chimes in. “And we know what ended up happening with that fucker.” My eyes roll before my mind catches up with them.
“Pops. You liked Mario fine. He did nothing wrong. We broke up. We weren’t meant to be together. That’s it.”
I hear both of them grumbling. Dad heads back toward the sunroom, leaving with a parting quip. “I know you say you’re fine and that he wasn’t a bad guy, but your feelings were hurt. You’re our little girl. That shit ain’t ever gonna sit right with us.”
Pops sits down across from me at the table. He sighs and looks at me. “Are you really over everything between you and Mario?”
I nod and try to explain to him the best way I can.
“Yeah, I really am. I think when he told me he was moving back to Arizona to take care of his dad, and I didn’t have a desire to go with him, I realized I wasn’t as invested in our relationship as I thought.
I know he didn’t ask me right away to go with him, but even when he did, saying no felt right, and he seemed kind of relieved too.
I think that kind of solidified that our relationship had run its course.
I enjoyed my time with him, but I know he’s not my person. ”
Between what I say and whatever Pops reads on my face, I must have him convinced, because he nods his head as he takes a sip of coffee.
He gives me a grin and asks, “So this rugby player guy, huh?” My eye roll is again an unconscious reaction as he continues.
“Does this mean I’m gonna have to learn everything about that sport? ” Like that would hurt him at all.
“We haven’t even been on a date yet, Pops. Let’s see how that goes before you start watching rugby games.”
He looks at me and nods but lets me know he’s already looked up some things. “You might need to know they’re usually called matches instead of games.” Yeah, I’m gonna need more coffee before he tells me anything more.